The Highlander's Dangerous Temptation by Terri Brisbin

She waited for Tavis to react, but he simply laughed and shrugged. Latin was one of the languages she loved and she was, as her tutor had told her parents, quite proficient in it. ‘Cogito, ergo sum,’ she said with confidence. Tavis walked her back to her family’s cottage after one such journey and Ciara tried to show what she’d learned only that week. As she gained in years and in knowledge, she was present many times when Tavis would report to her stepfather, the clan’s Peacemaker, after carrying out some task for him.

In spite of his marriage, Tavis still welcomed her company and their unusual friendship continued. She could wait for her chance to love Tavis and to gain his love. So, after considering her choices for most of the afternoon, Ciara accepted that there was only one thing she could do about this. Hours later, Ciara realised that there was not much she could do about this-she could not kill Saraid and even wishing her ill made Ciara’s stomach hurt. But she walked away and sought out her favourite thinking place, leaving her friend behind to sigh and watch the wedding she could not. The doors to the chapel remained open and, if she’d cared to watch, she could have seen the whole ceremony as Tavis and Saraid promised to love and cherish each other for life. ‘What will you do, then?’Ĭiara shrugged and did not answer right away. ‘Leave her be.’Įlizabeth looked from her to the couple, now walking together into the chapel, and sighed. ‘Nay,’ she whispered, turning away as tears filled her eyes. Later, when someone asked her what love was, she would describe it as just that-the expression Ciara could see in Tavis’s eyes when he looked at his bride. Ciara’s breath caught at the strength and clarity of the feelings between Tavis and his soon-to-be wife. From the way Tavis gazed at Saraid, he would look at her the same way even if she was covered in the slime and muck. The puddle of mud to one side of the path was appealing, but Ciara shook her head. Ever her stalwart friend, she would see this through with Ciara. ‘Should we trip her?’ Elizabeth whispered back. Her own heart hurt then, understanding that she was witnessing love. The only thing worse was that he gazed back at her with the same intensity. She looked neither left nor right, making Ciara hate her even more. The young woman, the current object of their observation, saw nothing but the man waiting for her at the door to the chapel. Nine years of age and already beyond redemption.

The terrible words branded her as a person of the most horrible kind.

Ciara whispered it to her nearest and dearest friend, knowing her secret wish was safe with her.

The Highlander's Dangerous Temptation by Terri Brisbin